A cappella Kim Brow Geography 433 March 20, 2014
Overview Definition Evolution – Church hymns – Barbershop – Collegiate Contemporary A Cappella – Course Themes
Definition Creating music without the use of instruments. Whistling and snapping is also used. It is a style as opposed to a genre of music. All genres can be performed in a cappella style. A cappella is an Italian word which refers to music performed “in the style of the chapel”
Evolution A cappella first documented in 15 th Century Europe Christian hymns. Term was originally coined to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato styles but was then given its current definition in the 1800s. Composers specifically wrote in this style for wroship since many churches ban the use of instrumentation Slowly declined as instrumentation was permitted Jewish and Islamic religions also used this style in worship – Jewish- Sefirah – Muslim - Nasheed Church Hymn
Barbershop Quartet Four part vocal harmonies Began in late 1800s among the African American men who would socialize and harmonize while they waited their turn at the barbershop 1930 saw barbershop revival, 1938 was the formation of the first formal men's barbershop organization Barbershop Harmony Society – Women's organization Sweet Adelines formed Boston Common – Who Told You The Ragtime Girls (Jimmy Fallon) – Ignition (remix)
USA Collegiate A Cappella Yale Wiffenpoofs s and 50s saw a major growth in collegiate groups in American universities Gained popularity in 1990s when beatboxing was introduced
Commercialization and Role of Mass Media Gained popularity through mass media. The Sing Off (2009) a televised reality a cappella singing competition Glee Season 2 &3 (2010/11) featured an a cappella group The Warblers Pitch Perfect (2012) is a movie about collegiate a cappella competition Jimmy Fallon (2013) has also done covers of songs on his late night show (ie Miley Cyrus)
Examples The Kings Singers- Duke Ellington m4 m4 Glee Warblers – Teenage Dream w w Daichi – Beatboxer list=PLMSQMaplw_8YbVgkL3DIXNWOXgKBIRpkK list=PLMSQMaplw_8YbVgkL3DIXNWOXgKBIRpkK
Adaptation/Innovation No longer need instruments to form a band. If you can imitate the sounds of instruments New way to arrange songs Bands achieve fame or success from utilizing this style to cover popular songs (ie Pentatonix)
Instruments and Recording Technology Shift in instruments. A cappella was originally harmonies. Modern a cappella uses vocals to recreate the sound of the instruments People are making one man a cappella groups (ie Mike Tompkins)
Technologies of Communication YouTube is a huge resource. It is a place for artists to share their music with a broad audience. (ie Smooth McGroove) Pentatonix regularly post covers Many competitions are posted here Great way to share music (not just a cappella) with many people Smooth McGroove – Super Mario World
Other A cappella Artists The Nylons – Canadian Band The Skyliners – 50s-70s Pentatonix –Evolution of Music Duwende, Naturally 7 Synth000, Van Canto – Metal GQ- Women’s Barbershop Quartet
References Acapella. Wikipedia CASA A Cappella 101: Welcome To The World Of Vocal Music. Retreived March from: Wright, David. Barbershop Harmony. Retreived March from: ht.html ht.html All Music Clips from YouTube All images from Google Images
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